NewsDrop-February-2025

A SUBTERRANEAN KIND OF LOVE

By: Brianna Anzaldua Communications and Development Intern

A SUBTERRANEAN KIND OF LOVE PROTECTING THE HIDDEN TREASURES OF THE EDWARDS AQUIFER

A visitor excitingly calls her parent over to look at the endangered Texas blind salamander aquarium.

Conservation Efforts: The EAHCP The Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP) is a compre hensive, regional initiative created to protect threatened and endangered species in the Edwards Aquifer and the Comal and San Marcos Springs ecosystems. In 2013, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) issued an Incidental Take Permit to the Edwards Aquifer Authority, the City of San Marcos, the City of New Braunfels, Texas State University, and the City of San Antonio (through the San Antonio Water System). These entities, known collectively as the EAHCP Permittees, work together to safeguard covered species from threats like groundwater pumping and habitat disturbance. The EAHCP employs a range of conservation measures, including: • Springflow Protection through programs like Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) and Voluntary Irrigation Suspension Program Option (VISPO), which maintain springflow during droughts. • Habitat Restoration by removing non-native plant species and planting native aquatic vegetation to create sustainable habitats. • Biological Monitoring to assess species populations, habitat health, and potential threats.

This Valentine’s let’s celebrate love—for nature, conservation, and the extraordinary species that thrive in the unique environment of the Edwards Aquifer. At our EAA Education Outreach Center (EOC) you can explore the hidden world beneath the surface, where endangered species like the Texas blind salamander and Fountain darter reveal the beauty and fragility of life. Our center is free and open to the public, offering free field trips to inspire all ages to connect with these species that reside deep within the aquifer or within the Comal and San Marcos spring systems. The Texas blind salamander (Eurycea rathbuni) lives exclusively in the underground caves, artesian springs and wells of the Edwards Aquifer. This blind and eyeless, cave-dwelling salamander relies on still, deep pools of water. Its thin skin and external gills make it vulnerable to chemical pollut ants and changes in water quality. Listed as endangered since 1967, the salamander is a symbol of how fragile subterranean ecosystems can be. Fountain darter (Etheostoma fonticola) is a smallest of the darter fam ily of fish and is only found in the Comal and San Marcos spring systems, where it thrives in clear, flowing water among submerged aquatic vegetation. Its endangered status since 1970 reflects the challenges posed by habitat loss, drought, and recreational activities. Conservation measures under the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP), such as submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) restoration, aim to protect this species and its habitat.

These efforts help ensure the survival of species like the Texas blind sala mander and Fountain darter, especially during extreme drought or other cat astrophic events. The EAHCP is currently in the process of renewing its Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program Incidental Take Permit (ITP), which is set to expire in 2028. Become an Aquifer Admirer Plan your visit to the EOC and observe our 3 aquariums that house native species like the Texas Logperch and Largespring Gambusia, showcasing the aquifer’s biodiversity; non-native species like the Mexican Tetra, highlight ing the challenges posed by introduced species; and view our endangered Texas blind salamander and Fountain darter species that symbolize the importance of preservation and conservation.

“The aquarium wall at the EOC is unique in that it brings the aquifer to life, literally. Folks may not recognize that the aquifer and the habitats it provides are teeming with life and the everyday decisions they make regarding water use and conservation make an impact on all that rely on the aquifer.” – Chad Furl, EAA Chief Science Officer

Visitors eagerly look at the native species aquarium and try to identify the fish they see.

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